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Is Travel Insurance Compulsory?

Travel insurance is mandatory in certain situations. Find out what they are.

While people understand that cover is important, not many know that travel insurance is compulsory:

To enter certain countries

For stays over 90 days in Schengen Zones

For group travel tours including Contiki Tours and G Adventures

Travel insurance is compulsory in these countries

Travel insurance is recommended regardless of which country you travel to yet some travellers still take the risk of travelling without it. But some countries strictly mandate travel insurance with medical as an entry requirement.

Country

Travel insurance requirements

United Arab Emirates (UAE)

You need to be able to prove that you have adequate health insurance when applying for your visa, otherwise your application will be rejected. Health care costs in UAE states, such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, are extremely high. While citizens are covered by the public health care system, you won’t be, which is why you need travel insurance.

Cuba

Travel insurance is compulsory in Cuba. All insurance policies must meet minimum medical and repatriation requirements. Documents will be checked at immigration. If these minimum requirements are not met, you must buy insurance from local providers before entering the country.

Qatar

Expats and international visitors must have travel insurance with medical cover when visiting or living in Qatar. By the end of 2015, it will be mandatory for employers of expatriates to pay premiums for their employees.

Turkey

Turkey requires that all visitors under the age of 65 have unlimited cover for inpatient services and a minimum benefit of TRY2000 (Turkish Lira) for outpatient medical care.

The Schengen Zone and compulsory travel insurance

Travel insurance is required for stays over 90 days

If you want to visit the Schengen Zone for 90 days or more, you need a visa. To receive the visa, Australian travellers must meet the minimum requirements for most member states. These requirements include compulsory travel insurance with the minimum medical cover of €30,000 and cover for repatriation back to Australia.

Can I skip on travel insurance for countries where it's not compulsory?

If you're thinking of avoiding travel insurance for a country where it's not required, think again. A night in hospital in a country such as Singapore or the United States of America (USA) could end up costing you almost $900 and $750 a night respectively. Travelling to these countries without travel insurance is like playing with fire.

Top 6 most expensive destinations to have an emergency

Destination

Hospital stay per night

Singapore

$893

United States of America

$751

Hong Kong

$722

The Netherlands

$671

Canada

$603

Germany

$561

Other medical expenses you must be aware of

If you plan on traveling to any of the destinations on this list, ensure that you protect yourself with a comprehensive travel insurance package. Other medical emergency expenses that you must be aware of include:

Ambulance fees

Medication

Inpatient and outpatient treatment

Doctor consultation fees

Food and incidentals

Accommodation for travelling companions

Tours that require travel insurance

Tours are an ideal way to travel and explore the world. However, based on the unpredictable nature of various destinations, travel insurance is required for most long-term tours.

While travel insurance is only recommended for some destinations, all travellers to Asia and South America are required to have an insurance policy with medical, personal, baggage and cancellation expenses.

Should I "kill two birds with one stone" and get travel insurance from my credit card?

Should I use the optional travel insurance offered by my tour company?

If your tour company offers travel insurance make sure you read the policy and assess whether or not the cover is adequate for your travel needs. Compare the policy benefits with standalone policies online for a better understanding of the policies that are out there.

Maurice is a publisher for finder.com.au. Daily research of Australia's insurance offerings allows him to breakthrough the noise of the many policies out there to uncover what can (and can't) be covered.
Maurice hopes to make finding the right insurance easier for all.

Related Posts

If you are planning a long term trip to Europe, a visa and accompanying travel insurance with at least EUR30,000 in medical benefits is often required. Make sure you meet entry requirements and protect yourself from common travel concerns by reading finder.com.au's comprehensive guide.

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2 Responses to Is Travel Insurance Compulsory?

Taking up a travel insurance may increase the chances of getting your Australian Visa application approved. Migrants are strongly encouraged to take up travel or health insurance before they enter Australia. They can get their travel or health insurance in their home country, or with an Australian company. Please click this link for Australian Visa and Citizenship Guide to know more about the Australian Visa requirements.

Please feel free to also check out this link for travel insurance providers who offers travel insurance for visitors to Australia and non-Australian residents.

Disclaimer -
Hive Empire Pty Ltd (trading as finder.com.au, ABN: 18 118 785 121) provides factual information, general advice and services on financial products as a Corporate Authorised Representative (432664) of Advice Evolution Pty Ltd AFSL 342880. Please refer to our FSG - Financial Products. We also provide general advice on credit products under our own Credit Licence ACL 385509. Please refer to our Credit Guide for more information. We can also provide you with general advice and factual information on about a range of other products, services and providers. We are also a Corporate Authorised Representative of Countrywide Tolstrup Financial Services Group Pty Ltd. ABN 51 586 953 292 AFSL 244436 for the provision of general insurance products. Please refer to our FSG - General Insurance. We hope that the information and general advice we can provide will help you make a more informed decision. We are not owned by any Bank or Insurer and we are not a product issuer or a credit provider. Although we cover a wide range of products, providers and services we don't cover every product, provider or service available in the market so there may be other options available to you. We also don't recommend specific products, services or providers. If you decide to apply for a product or service through our website you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product or service and not with us.
We endeavour to ensure that the information on this site is current and accurate but you should confirm any information with the product or service provider and read the information they can provide. If you are unsure you should get independent advice before you apply for any product or commit to any plan. (c) 2016.

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